Fiber-dressing apparatus



Oct. 30 1923.

- 1,472,419 0. LA WHITE ET AL FIBER DRESSING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9

NTQRS (44A BY at? ATTORNEY 0 LA WHITE ET AL FIBER DRESSING APPARATUS Oct. 30 1923.

0. LA WHITE ET AL FIBER DRESSING APPARATUS Oct. 30, 192

Filed Aug. 9, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 30 1923. 1,472,419

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i rim-1 al EFICE.

OLIVER LA WHITE AND HENRY LA WHITE, OF GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK.

FIBER-DRESSING A'PPARATUS.

Application fi led August 9, 1921.. Serial No. 490,849.

T 0 all to from it may 0071 00m:

Be it known that we, OLIVER LA \Vnrrn and HENRY LA lvrrirn, citizens oi the United States, and residents, respectively, of 122 Cra-ndall St. and 18 ,lVarren St, Glens Falls, N. Y., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fiber.- Dressing Apparatus, ot..r'..which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to fiber dressing apparatus, which is adapted to dress or comb fiber, particularly fiber from which spun silk is to be made.

The invention provides a machine in which bunches of fiber are gripped by gripping means which move relatively to comb ing or dressing devices. The ungripped or exposed portions of the fiber combed, after which the fiber is shifted, and the previously gripped portions of the fiber are then dressed or combed. Preferably automatic devices are provided for inserting bunches of fiber within the grip-ping means, for shifting the fiber after one portion thereof has been dressed, for clamping or looking the gripping means and unlocking the same at appropriate points or times. and for causing the various movements of the mechanism at properly timed intervals. 7 An object of the invention is the provision of improved the character referred to. the invention are the provision of improved combinations and sub-combinations of ele ments, and construction of parts, all as will be more fully described in the following specification and claimed in the appended claims.

In order that a clearer understanding of the invention may be had attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings forming part of this application, and illustrating, by way of example, certain embodiments of the invention. in the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a pariial vertical section taken through'a machine. embodying the invention, Fig. 1 being taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 2; 1a is a vertical section of the right are dressed or i and effective devices of Other objects of hand end of the same, taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section illustrating a portion of the mechanism at the forward end of the machine;

Fig. i is a transverse vertical section taken on linear-J; of Fig. 3; a

Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sections taken respectively on line 5-5 and 6-6 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation illustrating a series of fiber gripping and shifting members closed or locked together after passing the first dressing cylinders;

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the gripping members in unlocked position; y

Fig. 10 is an end elevation ofone of the gripping members;

Fig. 11 is a vertical longitudinal section taken throu h one of the gripping members;

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of one of the gripping members shown in connection with an adjacent gripping member, in position to shift the fiber between the two members, the view being taken from the end opposite to that shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a modified form. of the apparatus;

Fig. 1.4: is a similar view illustrating a further modification; Fig. 15 is a partial side elevation of apparatus embodying a further modification; Fig. 16 is an enlarged vertical section of the letthand end of the machine;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail plan view in the rotation of exposed 7 position.

inclusive comprises a frame having a suitable base 1 and suitable upright portions 2, 2. A pair of continuous chains 3 pass around'sprocket wheels 4 and 5 (Fig. 1) which are mounted on shafts 6, 7, carried by the upright portions 2 of the frame. from a hori Shaft 6 is illustrated as driven zontal'shaft Shaving a driving pulley 9 thereon, connection between shafts 6 and 8 being effected by means of a worm wheel 10 on shaft 6 and worm 11 on shaft 8 engaging with the worm wheel. Any other suitable driving connections might, of course, be used. Sprocket wheels 1, 4;, and 5, 5, are carried at opposite ends of shafts 6 and 7 so that the two chains 3 will be carried about the'apparatus in parallel relation.

Tracks 12 are carried about the apparatus in parallel relation to each other adjacent and parallel to the chains 3/ The blocks or members 13 between which the tufts or bunches of silk or other fiber to he treated are to be gripped, are guided and supported by tracks '12 during their progression about the machine.

For the sake of clearness, a brief general description of the operationof the machine will be given at shown in Figs. ;1 and v1 this point. The traveling chains 3 bring the blocks13, in separated series or trains, up to the upper level of thelefthand end of the machine as shown in Fig. 1, where the blocks are successively fed beneath a fiber-feeding device. Fiber, (shown in Fig. 3 at 14:) is fed between adjacent gripping blocks 13 of a series, from a feed wheel 45, about which the fiber has been positioned during the interval between the passage of two series or trains of blocks. When a sufiioient length of the fiber has been drawn between a pair of the adjacent blocks 13, the

fiber is automatically cut off by a knife,

with portion 14 of thesame extending down between a pair of gripping members 13, and portion 14* extending above the blocks in The blocks 13 moving continuously in a clockwise direction, referring to Fig. 1, the fiber is next drawln between the following pair of blocks 13 and out off, and then between the next follow- -1ng pair of blocks 1.3 and cut oil, etc., un-

til a tuft or bunch of fiber is positioned bctween each adjacent pair of blocks 13 in the series. As soon as this has happened, all of the blocks of the series are pushed firmly one against the other and locked, or clamped, in position to firmly grip the bunches of fiber, after which the exposed portions of' the fiber are combed or treated ,by' appropriate devices past which the blocks move. Thefgripping members are then nnlocked automatically and permitted to separate somewhat, whereupon appropriate F mechanism is brought into operation to shift forward end ofwhen shafts 20 are spring pressed iinto their One of the shafts 20 the bunches of fiber the portions of the fiber'which were'treated will now be between the gripping blocks and the portions which previously were gripped will be below the same. The blocks are now again pressed togetherand locked, and then these latter portions of the fiber are dressed by dressing or combing devices past which the blocks move, and in the fnrther progression of the series of gripping blocks the blocks. are again unlocked and the completely dressedfiber erably by an automatic mechanism which positively moves the fiber completely out of the spaces between the blocks.

Considering-the details of the machine, we will first describe the preferred form of grippingblocks. These blocks 13 are each provided with top and bottom walls 15, 15,

front and rearwalls 16, 16, and a transverse vided with front and rear chambers 18, 18,

situated respectively between the frontwall removed, prefand the partition 17 and between the rear wall and the partition 17. The blocks are also provided with end walls 19. Shafts 20, 20, are mounted to extend transversely through chambers 18 the, ends of these shafts through horizontal slots 21 in the end walls l9of the blocks. Each shaft 20 carries a roller 22, within one of the chambers 18.

The front and rear walls 16 of each block of each block, extending out are provided with openings 23, through which the rollers 22 are adapted partly to extend. The front and rear rollers 22 are normally spring pressed forwardly and rearwardly respectively The outer ends of shafts 20 at one end of v the blocks are provided positioned that the one-block will with gears 26, 26, so gear at the rear mesh with the gear 26 at the the next succeeding block outermost positions. of each block is provided at its opposite end with another gear 27 (Fig-10) for engagement with a rack to cause the rotation of rollers 22 to progress so as to partly extend out through openings 23, as is shown in F ig.

the bunches of fiber- 16 so as to press rollers downwardly between adjacent blocks 13 at machine, as will be hereinafter .explained.

Each of the block 13 is provided at each end with an outwardly extendingroller 28 the appropriate point in thefoperation of the j r secured to upright member 2. Each roller ill) 28 may be rotatabl i mounted on a pin indicated at 30 extending outwardly trom the end wall 19 of a block 13. Each block 13 is also preferably provided at each end with an extension 31 extending over and slidably mount d on the horizontal tlange oi the at jacent upper track member 12 and at one end with an extension 31 (Fig. i) slidably mounted on the underside of track member 12 members 1 and 31 being intended to prevent tilting of blocks'18 when they are pushed forward.

Various series of blocks 13 may be employed in the machine, each series of blOCKS passing through the same cycle of operations. the such series of blocks is indicated at the upper level of the lefthand end of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1, the same series of gripping blocks being understood to be illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

Each series of grippin members 13 are pressed together in the guides and pushed around the track by two push members 32 swivelled on the chains 3 and adapted to press against the rear surface of the rearmost block 13 of the series. Each pushing member 32 is secured to, or integral with,

' arm 83, the opposite end of which has a sleeve portion rotatably mounted on a stud 3% extending transversely from a bracket 35 secured to the chain 3 at each side of the machine. The sleeve portion of each arm 33 ?21f1l85 a pinion 36 secured thereon, which meshes with a sector 37 secured to a stud 38. A t'orwardly extending arm 39 is also secured to stud 38, this arm carrying at its forward end a roller 16. Each roller l0 is adapted to travel along a cam track 11 which extends parallel to the travel of the chains around the machine, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1. A pair of tracks 11 may be employed, one at each side of the machine, suitably secured in position to the side frame members 2. Tracks 11 are provided with raised and depressed portions at suitable intervals which cause rollersA-O to swing sectors 37 about their pivots, thus causing arm 33 and pushing members 32 to swing "forwardly or rearwardly, as is indicated in Figs. 8 and 9.

At the to ward end of each series of gripping blocks 13 a member 42 is secured to each o1 the side chains 3 to extend upwardly into position to form an abutment against which the forward block 13 ot' the series may be' pressech when pushing members are swung forwardly to press the various blocks ics closely against each other, as is indicated in Fig. 8.

vi e will now describe the preferred form of mechanism for feeding the fiber to the point at which bunches of fiber are to be gripped by gripping blocks 13. it the ion ward end oi the machine the fiber 1 1 may be ted forwardly between a pair of rollers 13, from which it is taken by the filler combs ll fastened on a feed wheel 45, rotatably mounted on a shaft 16, the ends of which are supported by suitable brackets 48 extending upwardly from the side frames 2 of the ma chine.

Feed wheel 45, in the form of construe tion shown, rotates rapidly in a counterclockwise direction, referring to Figs. 1 and 3, during the time the wheel is being filled with fiber, during which time the feed rollers 43 are advancing the fiber at a comparatively slow rate. The combs 1% will thus comb the fiber as the latter is advanced by the rollers, and will catch hold of portions of the same as the fiber passes through the rollers, so that in the course ot a number or revolutions of wheel 15 a suilicient amount of fiber will have been caught by the combs and will lie upon the periphery of the wheel, as shown in Fig. The fiber thus caught by the combs will, naturally, taper down in thickness from each comb to a point adjacent the next following comb. The operation described takes place during the interval between the passage of two series or trains or blocks 13 past the feed wheel.

The general manner or" operation of the mechanism now being described is as tollows. Various series or trains of blocks may be used, all of which travel continuously around the machine, with definite equal intervals between the various trains of blocks. After one train of blocks has had bunches of fiber ted thereto in a manner presently to be described, in the course which operation all of the fiber will have been taken from teed wheel the feed wheel is again filled with fiber trout rollers During this filling of the teed wheel it is moving inv a counter-clocltwise direction, as stated. hen the first pair of blocks of the next following train, or series of blocks comes into position beneath the teed wheel, the latter, which has now been filled with fiber, will be stopped and rotated step by step in the opposite or clockwise direction tor one revolution. l7 ing this time bunches or lengths of fiber-will be cut oft or separated from the perip'ier of iced wheel 15 and positioned between the various pairs of blocks 13 making up the train. As the last block (It the train passes beyond the feed wheel, the clockwise step by step rotation of the latter is stopped and wheel as is imme- 7 diately again rotated rapidly in a counterclockwise direction to rollers 43,

' described at a later so that it will again be filled with fiber by the time that thenext train of blocks arrives in positon to receive fiber from the feed wheel. Suitable means may be provided for rotating the feed rollers 43 during the intervals in which feed wheel is rotating in a counfer-clockwise direction, rollers 48 being stopped 'when the counter-clockwise rota tion of wheel 45 is stopped.

Feed wheel 45, as shown in Fig. 3, would actually have all the fiber removed from its lower left-hand portion, adjacent if various bunches of fiber had been inserted between blocks 13 of the train passing the feed wheel, as shown in said figure. The fiber is, however, shown in position 011 the lower left-hand portion of the wheel in order to illustrate the manner in which rollers 43 and combs 44 cooperate during the filling of the wheel.

The mechanism by which the movements referred to of wheel 45 are effected will be point.

Means are preferably provided for accurately pushing or adjusting each gripping block into proper position at, the point at which the fiber is fed between the blocks. A suitable mechanism is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 16 in which a sprocket wheel 49 on a haft 48 is rotated by means of a chain or other connection 49 from a shaft 50 adjacent the base of the machine, shafts 50 and 8 being considered the two power shafts of the apparatus. A pair of eccentric straps 51 are secured to shaft 48, these eccentric straps each having a push finger 52 extend forwardly therefrom.

A pair of cams 53 also rotate with shaft 48. Arms 54 are pivoted intermediate their lengths, as shown at 55, to the brackets 56. Preferably a pair of brackets 56 are provided, one at each side of the machine, between which shaft 48 is supported, there being accordingly a pair of eccentric members 51 and arms 54, one at each side of the machine. Each arm 54 carries a roller 57 which bears against its cam 53. The opposite end of each arm 54 is connected by a link 58 to a finger 52. r

The operation of this mechanism will cause the forward ends of fingers 52 to engage behind each block 13 in turn as the latter moves along the upper level of its supporting tracks, to push the block forwardly into a desired position at the feed ing point. At the time that fingers 52 come into operation the series of blocks 13 have been pushed up around the curve at the lefthand end of the machine (Fig. 1), by the pushers 32, which latter are then in their rearward position (shownin Fig. 9), so that the blocks of the series will not be pushed tightly together.

wheel.

Fingers 52 push each block l3'fo'rwardly a definite distance "corresponding to the throw of the eccentrics 51, after which links 58 raise fingers 52 out of engagement with the block 13, the fingers retreating, again lowering, and engaging the next block to the rear to push it forward into position, in a continuous operation. The throw of eccen tries 51 is such and the position of the operative end of each finger 52 is so chosen that each block 13 is thereby pushed into a position in which its rear surface has slightly passed the point at which a bunch of fiber is to be drawn down into position as will subsequently be explained. 7

At the same time the block 13 immediately to the rear of the one which has just been pushed forwardly will, preferably, be held back somewhat by ppropriate mechanism, so as to insure having a positive opening between the two blocks to enable the mechanism for drawing a bunch of fiber into position between the blocks to pass between the same. a I

This mechanism may conveniently take the form of a pair'of arms 52 which are pivotally mounted onshaft 48, as is shown in Fig. 16. The forward ends of these arms are provided with downwardly extending noses 52 which are adapted to engage over the upper forward edge of the block 13 immediately to the rear of the one which has just been push-ed forwardly by fingers 52. Noses 52 are resiliently pressed downwardly into operative position by suitable means such as springs 52 secured at one end of each of the same to an extension of one of the arms 52 the opposite end of each spring 52 being secured to pivot pin 55 of the adjacent bracket 56. The operation of this mechanism will be more fully explained in connection with the description of the devices for pulling the fiber into position between the blocks andv cutting the same off to length, which will presently be described.

It is advisable at this point to describe a mechanism by which the various movements of feed wheel 45 may be effected. A suitable mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 2, 16,

17, 18 and 19. As there shown, shaft 46 of feed wheel 45 may beprovided with a pair of pulleys 127 and 128 of which the former may be loose and the latter fast on the shaft. A belt 129 is adapted to run over one or the other of these pulleys and to lead to a suitable power shaft '(not shown). The belt will be shifted back and forth by appropriate mechanism so arranged that the belt will run over thefast pulley 128 during the intervals between the passage of trains of blocks 13 past the feed wheel, that is to say, the belt will be used to give wheel 45 its rapid counter-clockwise rotation during the periodsin which the fiber is laid upon the When the belt is on loose p-ulley'127 feed wheel 15 may be rotated one revolution, step by step, by a suitable pawl device while the fiber is being cut and blocks This pawl device maybe operated from shaft 48, and this shaft should accordingly be caused to rotate during the periods in which fiber being fed to blocks 13 and should be stopped during the periods in which feed wheel 45 is being filled with fiber.

The timing of the various movements re ferred to may suitably be regulated from one of the chains blocks 13. One of these chains may be provided with pairs of cam'proje'ctions 130 and 131 thereon, one pair for each train of blocks, each pair of cam projections being separated from each other in the lengthwise direction of chain 3 by a distance which may 3e equal to or slightly greater than the length of a train or series of blocks 13.

The chain %9 by which shaft 48 is r0- tated may extend over a sprocket'wheel 19 which as shown in Fig. 17 may be mounted on aclutch member 132 which is adapted to engage with clutch member'133 which is keyed to shaft 48 by a key or spline mounted in keyway 134:.

During the period in which fiber is fed to bloc s 13 shaft 4L8 must, of course, be rotating and belt 129 must be on the loose pulley 127. Fig. 17 illustrates the-mechanism just as one such period is about to end, clutch members 132 and 133 being in engagement. At the end of this period, as the last block'13 of the'train passes under the feed wheel, the cam projection 131 on chain 3 will ride under roller on the end. of arm 136 which is pivoted intermediate its length at 137 to a part of the fixed frame. The opposite end of arm 136 is connected by link 138 to an arm 139 which is pivoted intermediate its length at 14:0 to a point the fixed frame of the machine. Arm 139 is provided at one end with the belt shifter 1 11 and at the other end. with a yoke 1%1-2 by which the movable clutch member 133 may be shifted.

It will be obvious that roller 135 in riding over cam projection 131 will shift belt 1.29 on to fast pulley 128 and will at the same time unclutch sprocket wheel 19 from shaft 18 so that shaft -13 will be stopped and feed wheel to will immediately be started-in a rapid counterclockwise rotation.

An arm 1 13, similar to arm 136, is also pivoted on pin 137, arm 14:3 carrying at its forward end a roller 14A. Arm 143 is longer than arm 136 and at its opposite end it is connected by a link 145 to a point on arm 139 which is on the opposite side of the pivot 1&0 of arm 139 from the point at which link 1538 connects toarm 139.

Roller 144 is adapted to engage the other fed between the 3which travel with the cam projection referred to, 130, which is located on chain 3 a suitable distance to the rear of cam projection 131. The operation of cam projection 131 has shiftedthe belt on to fast pulley 128 and since the movement of arm 139 has raised link 1 15, roller 144: will be in the path of cam projection 130 while roller Will be raised out of the pathof projection 130. d/Vhen cam projection 130 con'ies alongit will raise roller 14.4: so as to shift belt 129 back'on to the loose pulley 127, stopping the counterclockwise rotation of wheel 45, whileat the same time clutch member 133 is moved into clutching engagement with member 132 so as to start shaft l8 in rotation. At the same time roller 135 will be moved down into position to be engaged by the nextcam projection 131 while roller 14A is raised out of position to be engaged by this cam. The belt shifting and clutch operating arm 139 may-be held in each of its two positions by some form of impositive lock. such as the spring 1 16 which is connected at one end to yoke 142 and at the other end to a fixed pin 1 17. This spring is adapted to swing across the centre 1 10' in either direction of move ment of arm 139 so as to tend to hold arm 139 in each if its two positions.

Cam 130 will come into play to start shaft 48 in rotation as statedat the moment when the first pair of blocks 13 of a train are in position to receive fiber from wheel 4-5. Wheel 45 may be stopped, as soon as belt 129 is shifted to the loose pulley 127, by any suitable form of friction stop or the like.

The device illustratedin Figs. 2" and 16 for rotating feed wheel 45 in a clockwise direction will then come into play. As illustrated shaft 18 may have an eccentric 1 18 thereon, this eccentric having a forwardly extending arm 149 which is pivotally connected at its forward end to an arm 150 which is loosely mounted on shaft 16 to extend downwardly therefrom. Arm 150 carries at its lower end a spring pressed pawl 151 which is adapted to engage in radially disposed recesses 71 which are provided at spaced intervals about the periphery of wheel 45. As soon as shaft 48 starts rotating the pawl 151 will engage within one of these recesses 71 and will step wheel 45 around one revolution in a clockwise direction. Recesses 71 are equal in number to the spaces between blocks 13 of a series, into which fiber is to be positioned, as will presently be described. Each revolutionof shaft 18 results in moving the train of blocks 13 one block length forwardly, by means of fingers 52, as has been described, each revolution of shaft 18 also resulting in advancing wheel 45 in a clockwise direction the distance between a pair of adjacent recesses 71. When wheel 45 has thus been roextent into the recess 71 and to start wheel 45 the other direction,

Member 59 is point-at which the fiber is fed downwardly tatedthrough one revolution, the next cam projection 131 will come into position to on clutch shaft 48 from its driving connection rapidly rotating in as has been described.

During the counter-clockwise rotation of wheel 45, pawl 151 may, of course, be allowed to click over recesses 71 on This may be prevented, however, by the provision of a stationary cam surface 152 w iich is so positioned as to engage a tail portion 153 of pawl 151, when the pawl moves rearwardly after its last engagement with one of the recesses 71. 'With this arrangement,

the design of parts shouldbe so effected that eccentric 148 will come to rest in its rearward position when shaft 48 is stopped and, therefore, cam 152 will serve to hold pawl 151 in this rearward position, out of en gagement with the periphery of wheel 45.

The mechanism by which the fiber is pulled into position between the blocks and cut off to length will now be described. mounted vertically below the between the blocks, member 59 having a knife edge 60 at its upper edge. Member 59 is given a reciprocating motion, in the form of apparatus illustrated, from a cam 61 mountedon a shaft 62, which may be rotated by a belt or chain connection 62 from shaft 48. Cam 61 bears against a roller 63'carried'between arms 64 which are pivoted at their forward ends to a pin 65 journaled between the side frames 2. Links 66 extend upwardly from pivotal connections with the rear ends of arms 64. Parallel links 67 are pivotally connected, as shown at 68,--at points intermediate their lengths to upwardly extending brackets '69. The forwards ends oflinks 67 are pivotally com nected, as is indicated at 70, to the vertical links 66, the rear ends of links 67 being piv-' otally connected to member 59. It will thus be apparent that a parallel motion is imparted to member59 so that the same will periodically rise and fall during rotation of shaft 48. I

Member 59 is provided with barbs 72 at intervals below the cutting edge 60 (Fig. When member 59 rises it will pass between a pair of adjacent blocks 13 at the point at which an opening has been effected between a pair of blocks 13 by the operation of fingers 52 as previously described; Men ber 59 on thus rising will cut through the fiber on wheel 45 adjacent to one of the filler combs 44. At this time one of the recesses 71, such as the recess 71 shown in Fig. i:, will be in alignment with the knife so that at the top of the upward mov ment member 59 its knife edge 60 will pass through the fiber and will enter to a slight referred to; The

the wheel permit this block 13 pressed arms'52 from advancing quite'into The feeding rollers may be started intooperation when member 59 then desoendingiwill draw down with it the end portion of the fiber shown at 147 in Fig. 3, which has just been severed from thefiber on the feed wheel; I This fiber will, of of the engagementtherewith, of barbs 72 on member 59.

This length of fiber will thus be drawn between a pairof blocks 13;

course, be thuspulled'do-wn because and 13 (Fig. 3). During the furthermove ment of member 59 block 18 will be pushed forwardly against the portion of fiber 14 referred to and will push the block 1-3 and the other blocks of the train in front of that forwardly, as has been described, the open ation of fingers 52 resulting in placing the the length offiber firstpulled into position will be entirely severed wheel 45 and the next length of fiber on the wheel, indicated in Fig. 3 at 14 will be pullerdown into position between the next pair of blocks. As has been'stated, between a pairof blocks'13 in the manner referred to, an opening will be provided for its passage between the blocks because of the fact that fingers 52 have just pushed'a block, for example the block 18 in Fig. 3, slightly ahead of theplane in which member 59 operates, while's'pring pressed fingers 52 have prevented block 13*, immediately to the rear of the point at which member from the fiber on when member 59 rises 1 operates, from advancing into contact with block 13 'lVhen fingers 52 next move forwardly again they will push block 13 forwardly,-spring pressed arms '52 rising to movement, block l3 being pressed by fingers 52 against the length of fiber extending between blocks 13 and 13 i and, therefore, pressing all'of the blocks of the series in advance of block 13 forwardly. Bloclr13 will be advanced by fingers 52 until its rear edge is slightly in advance of the vertical plane in which member 59 operates, the block immediately to the rear of in turn being held .by spring contact with block 18*.

wheel 45 begins to clockwise direction when the wheel 45 is rotate in a counterand may be stopped counter-clockwise rotation of stopped. This may, ofcourse,

be accomplished by a suitable connection between shaft -18 and the shafts of feed rollers #13.

While the bunches of fiber are being inserted between the blocks, the pushing members 32 at the rear of the series are in their open positions shown in Fi 9, and there might be some danger of the fiber falling out from between the blocks. Accordingly we prefer to provide a supplemental mechanism which will hold the blocks, between which fiber has been inserted, pressed against each other with sufficient force until the fiber has been inserted between all of the pairs of blocks of the series.

This supplemental. mechanism preferably takes the form of a pair of belts 73, 73, which are mounted above and parallel to blocks 13. Belts 73 pass over pulleys 74 on stud shafts 75 which may be supported by suitable brackets from the side frames 2, brackets 76 for the rear stud shafts being shown in Fig. 5. Stud shafts '75 may be driven by any suitable means such as chains passing over sprocket wheels 77 on the rear stud shafts 75. These chains are not illustrated, in order not to unnecessarily complicate the drawings, but they may extend downwardly to suitable sprocket wheels on shaft 6, the drive being so arranged that the lower course of belt 73 will move forwardly over blocks 13 at the same speed as chains 3.

Belts 73 carry fingers or lugs 78 at spaced intervals thereon, and these lugs are adapted to each engage behind one of the blocks 13 immediately after the latter has been delivered by fingers 52 to the point at which its rear edge is slightly in advance of the vertical plane in which member 59 operates. as previously described. Lugs 7 8 will hold blocks 13 pressed against each other and against the travelling abutment 12 at the front of the series of lugs with sufficient firmness to hold the bunches of fiber in position between adjacent blocks 13 until the pushing members 32 move forwardly. to positively clamp the blocks together.

The locking together of blocks 13 will now be described. Rollers 40 of the pushing mechanism at the rear of the series of members 13 are riding up the lefthand end portions of tracks 11 (Fig. 1), while the fiber is being positioned between the blocks, pushers 32 being in their rearward position shown in Fig. 9. As the last pair of blocks of the series receives its fiber, rollers 40 will move up an inclined portion 7 9 of each track a1 so as to ride upon the horizontal top portions 80 of the tracks. As rollers 10 reach the upper level 80 of the tracks, arms 33 will be swung forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 8. This results in squeezing the various blocks 13 of the series tightly against each other so that all of the rollers 22 will be forced entirely into the recesses 18 within the blocks, and so that the bunches of fiber will be firmly gripped between the front and rear vertical walls 16 of adjacent blocks, the blocks being clamped between pushers 32 at the rear and members 4E2 at the front of the series of blocks. The blocks will remain locked in this position as long as rollers 10 travel along the raised portions of cam tracks 11.

The bunches of fiber thus being firmly held in position, the blocks pass beneath the combing or dressing cylinders 81 and 82 which are mounted on shafts 841', sup ported in uprwardly extending portions 85, 85, of the slide frames. The forward shaft 8 1 may be rotated by belt or chain connection 86 from a shaft 87 which is supported between the side frames, shaft 37 bein rotated by chain connection 33 extending around a suitable sprocket on shaft 50. Combing cylinders 31 and 82 preferably rotate in opposite directions and accordin ly cylinder 81 may be rotated by a belt or chain connection 89 extending from shaft. 8i around a pulley or sprocket wheel on a 'shaft- 89 on which is fastened. a suitable pinion which engages with a pinion 83 on shaft 83, as is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, so as to reverse the direction of rotation of cylinder 81. Cylinders 81 and 82 are provided with suitable combing or dressing devices 90 which brush against the portions 14." of the bunches of fiber which extend upwardly above the upper surfaces of blocks 13. With the directions of rotation indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1 the ilressing cylinder 81 will brush portions 141- of the fiber forwardly so as to comb one side of the so 1t and the dressing devices of cylinder 32 will brush port-ions 14 of the fiber rearwardly so as to brush the opposite side or the fiber. 3 illustrates blocks 13 of a train of blocks which has just passed dressing cylinder 82 so, that all of the upper portions 14* of. the fiber will be lying on top of the blocks and extending rearwardly from the gripped portions 1 1 of the fiber.

' all of the bunches of fiber have is soon been combed by combing devices on cylinder the rollers 40 will ride down an inclined portion 91 in each of tracks tl. so as to unlecl-l the blocks 13 of the series. This is for the purpose of enabling the bunches of fiber to be shifted into new positions be t een blocks 13. so to enable the combing of the previously clamped portions of the abcr.

Ea cam 92 carried by shaft 93 at a point adf'icent to the depression 91 in one of the tracks ll. shaft 93 being rotated by appropriate means such as a chain 9%. extending around sprockets on shafts 93 and 6. Shaftmay be merely a stud shaft extending from one of the side frames of the machine, (Fig. 6). i

A roller 95 is positioned to bear against the lower surface of cam. 92, roller 95 being carried by an. arm 96, which is pivotally mounted at one end, as shown at 97, to a bracket 98' cxtendi from one of the side frames of the machine. The opposite end of arm 96 is connected by a vertical link 95. (Fig. 6), to a bell crank l00, which is pivotally mounted intermediate its length, shown at 101, to the side frame.

The opposite end of bell crank 100 can ries a rack 102 which is adapted to be moved into mesh with the pinions 27 which are mounted on the :l'orward shafts carried by gripping blocks 13. Roller 95 is held in engagement with cam 92 by suitable means, such as a spring 103, which may be secured at one end to a lug 10% on linl: 99, the other end of the spring being secured to the side frame member.

Cam 92 is so timed that it will depress roller 95 to throw rack 102 upwardly into engagement with all of the pinions 27 as soon as the blocks 13 of the series have arrived in position. for their pinions 27' to be above racl: 102, at which time the blocks 13 have just been unlocked by rollers 40 riding down the inclined portion 91 ol the tracks, as described. 7 in engagement with all of the pinions 27 of the series of blocks for a definite. inteiwal, during which pinions 27 will revolve as blocks 13 move forward. Roller 95 then rides oil the high portion of cam 92 so that rack 102 drops out of engagement with pinions 27.

ll hilethe blocks 13 of the series were locked together the vertical lower, portions l4! of the bunches of fiber were gripped between the front and rear walls 16 of ad jacent blocks 13, as stated. When the blocks 13 are unclamped by rollers 40 riding down inclined surfaces 91 of tracks 4-1, the blocks are pushed somewhat apart from each other by the pressure of springs within the blocks so that the bunches of fiber will be held between the surfaces of rollers 22 of adjacent blocks. The bunches of fiber will be held with sufficient firmness by rollers 22 this time because of the fact that pushing members 32,when they move from the locked position shown in Fig. 8 to the unlocked posit-ion shown in Fig. 9, still ,remain in engagement with the rear surface of the rearmost block 13 of the series, the blocks '13 being permitted to move apart sufficiently by the rearward movement of pushing members 32 to move the vertical surfaces 16 out of gripping engagement with the bunches of fiber, while gripping contact is still maintained by rollers 22 against the liaclr 102 will be held elevated upon the upper surfaces of are mounted will be rotated by the rotation of pinions27, as described. Pinions 27, as stated'above, are mounted on the shafts 20 the front end of each block 13, and each of these shafts 20 carries at its opposite end a pinion 26, which will mesh with the pinion 20 on the shaft 20 at therear of the block immediately in front thereof, when the blocks are somewhat separated from each other as they will be at this time. Accordingly all of the rollers 22 will be rotated in the properdirections to positively feed the bunches of fiber held between the same downwardly for suflicient distances to cause each portion 14: of the fiber, which had previously been dressed, to be moved down between the two adjacent b'locks, while the portions 1? ofthe fiber which previously hadbeen grippz-ulbetween the blocks, are moved dowh into aposit-ion below the blocks, as is shown in Fig 9.

The blocks are new again locked together by rollers 40 riding up inclined portions of tracks ll on the upper level of the traclns lilt'll-Jitlffitl in 1 at 105. The track 41 shown as broken away in Fig. 1 at the point referred to, for the sake of clearness, and, therefore, the upwardly extending inclined portion thereof, not shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, but may be considered to be the inclined portion ltldshown. in l ig. 9.. I

The blocks 18, in their continued progress are now, carried past rollers 107 and 108 which are mounted on shafts 109 and 110' respectively, which shafts are carried by up ward extensions of the side frames. These shafts may be'rotated by appropriate connectionsfsuch as the chain"88, which'may ez'itend'over a shaft 109 and around a suitable sprocket wheel on a shaft 110 adjacent to shaft 110. A pinion on shaft 110 will mesh with a suitable pinion on shaft 110, as is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, so as to'give'eylinder 108 a direction of rotationopposite to that of cylinder 107. Chain 88 Was previously described as rotating shaft 87 from shaft and, as shown in the drawings. it may be continued past shaft 109 and around a sprocket on shaft 110 'Rollers 107 and 108 carry suitable combing, or other dressing devices, 111, positioned about their peripheries. Y

The combing devices carried by rollers 81 and 82, previously described, combed or dressed the portions 149 of the bunches of fibers as the latter extended above or lay blocksI1-3. The bunches of fiber now having been shifted,

just referred to,

suitable sprocket wheel I on rollers, 1074\nd. 108 will comb or 1 1 85 the portions 1 1601 the. bunches of fiber, the latter being pressed against the under surfaces of bloc-ks13, in. one direction or the other, by the combing rollers as the bunches of fiber are carried past the" same. Rollers 10'? and 108 may rotate in the di.I9 .ct,i( I.1 S shown by. the arrows, Fig. 1, so as to, suitably comb the fiber which is carried above the same, travelling .toward ;the right, Fig. 1. p

The bunches ot fiber having thus: been entirely dressed,hlocks 13 ofthe series will travel to the .point at which the dressed fiber will bedischarged therefrom. .lreterably this is accomplished in an automatic manner. -Freferably the sprocket wheel 5 over which chains, 3 pass at the extreme right hand end of the machine is positioned tar enough beyond dressing cylinder 108 to provide room for the discharge of the dressed fiber from a train of blocks 13. As is illustrated in Fig. 1 which maybe considered as a continuation of: Fig. 1, rollers 410. will ride downinclined portions 112 of tracks 11, after all of the blocks of 'atrain have passed dressing cylinder 108. This will serve to unlock the train of blocks.

. The blocks being thus unlocked the dressed fiber may be removed therefrom. Preferthe lower surface of cam 92 ably this. is accomplished automatically by means which will rotate all of the rollers 22 of the blocks in the same direction in which they were rotated when the fiber was shifted downwardly between the blocks after passing dressing cylinder 82. This further shitting ot the fiber to discharge the same mayibe accomplished by mechanism entirely similar to that which has been described in connection with the first shifting of the fiber. Thus a cam 92 (Fig. 1?), may be provided, this being similar to cam 92 previously describechcam 92 being rotated by appropriate means such as a chain 94 extending around a sprocketon the shaft of cam 92 and around a suitable sprocket on shaft 93. Chain 9 1 may, of course, be a continuation of chain The roller 95 is positioned to bear against A vertical arm 99 is operated by roller 95 in the same manner that vertical link 99 is operated from roller 95 (Fig. 6), previously described. The movement of vertical arm 99 serves tooperate a rack which will engage the pinions 27 of the series of blocks in the same 1113111161 as has previously'been described in connection with rack 102, illustrated in Fig. 6. The result of this action will be to rotate all of the rollersQQ of the blocks so as to automatically discharge or eject the entirely combed flag of fiber from the blocks of the series. The blocks will then continue around sprocket 5 and back to the starting point ofthe' nachine at which fresh bunches of fiber to be dressed will be inserted between the blocks and the operation as previously described repeated.

The mechanism described may,o'f course, be enlarged so as to provide for repeated dressingsof the fiber. Onesuch modification is illustrated diagrammatically inFig. 13, in which the blocks 13 are indicated as being progressed past dressingrollers .81 and 82 which will dress the portions 14* of the fibers, and then past dressing rollers 107 and 108 which will dress the portions 1430f the fibers, the fibers having been shifted in the meanwhile by a mechanism similar to that previously described.

The fibersmay now be. again combed or dressed, by finer combing orldressing rollers 113 and 1.1 1. which are similar to dressing rollers 81 and 82 The fibers may then again be shifted in the manner previously described, back to their original positions, so that the portions 14 ofithe fibers may again be dressed by dressing rollers 115, 116, situated above the upper course of the blocks 18. The same operation may be [re peated as many times as desired, additional dressing rollers 116, 117, and 118, 119, being indicated as mounted respectively beneath and above the lower course of blocks 13. In this schematic representation the, chains 3 am indicated as passing around sprockets 1 and 5 which are situated'a considerable distance apart so that. the blockswilltravel forwardly in one horizontal course, and return in a lower horizontal course. "It has not been deemed necessary to illustratethe details of mechanism in this figure, since the same will be entirely similar to' the mechanism already described. hen the bunches of fiber have been shifted, in the manner previously described, to enable dressing rollers 107 and 108 and 1 13, 114, to dress the portions 1 1 of the fibers, it will, of course, be necessary to shift the fibers back again into the position they occupiedwhen they were dressed by rollers S1} and 82 This may, of course, be accomplished by a mechanism similar to that illustrated in Fig. 6, in which, however, the rack will engage the opposite sides of the pinions 27 so as to reverse the direction of the rotation of rollers 22.

A modified arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 1a which may be considered as substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 13,

ex iept that the apparatus is located in two floors of a building, or at two difierent levels, so as to prevent the apparatus from requiring as great length as is called forby the arrangement shown in Fig. 13. As is indicated in Fig. 1a the chains 3 may pass on one level around sprockets 4 'and 5 sprockets 4 7 Suitable combing or dressing rollers maybe positioned to-dress the fiber at the various. horizontal levels referred to, as indicated; Cam tracks similar to traclrs 41 will, of course, extend about the apparatus in courses parallel to those of chains and be provided with suitable inclined portions for causing the bunches of fiber to be shifted in one direction or the other, as previously described.

In Fig. 15 another modification of the apparatus is indicated. As here shown, the apparatus may be the same as that previously-described, except that the blocks 13 are progressed through a circular path instead of being carried through horizontal courses, as previously described. As is indicated in Fig. 15, the blocks 13 may be guided for travel about the periphery of a large drum 124i, dressing rollers 125, 125, being indicated as positioned to comb or dress the portions 14* of the bunches of fiber and dressing roller 126 positioned to dress the portions 14 of the bunches of fiber after the latter have been shifted. In this construction the driun 124: may be held stationary andthe blocks 13 progress around the periphery ofthe same in the manner already described, the bunches of fiber being shifted at suitable points by mechanism similar to that previously described, which may comprise rollers bearing on tracks having inclined portions, these rollers being carried from the chains 3 in the manner previously described. Or, of course, the blocks13 may be progressed in their circular path by causing the drum 124 itself to rotate in which case the cam tracks referred to would be stationary, the blocks being progressed through their circular path by means of pushing devices similar to the devices 32, previously described,- which may be pivotally connected to the periphery of the drum 124:.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction which have been particularly described, but that the same is considered as including such equivalents of the mechanism particularly described as will occur to those skilled in the art, the scope of the invention being indicated by the accompanying claims.

at we claim is: I

1'. In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of a pair-of gripping members,'one behindthe other,a dressing member, means for causing relative movement between said gripping and dressing members, such that said gripping members will successively pass said dressing member, relatively, means for pressingsaid gripping members to-" gether to grip fiber therebetween with the fiber extending transversely of the direction of said relative movement, with a portion exposechuntil said portion has been dressed, and means for thereafter shiftingthefiber between said .members transversely of the direction of said'relative movement. 7

2, In fiber dressing apparatus, the compa r of gripping members, progresslng the same. along a binat'ion of a means for path, said membersbeing one behind the one after-the other, along a path, means for pressing the same together, as they pass one point on the path,

and to hold them so pressed for a distance, and means for .releasingthe pressure and shifting the fiber transversely of said path, between said members at asubsequent point.

4:. In fiber dressing apparatus, the coin bination of a pair of gripping member-s, means for progressing the same, one after the other, along a path, means forpressing the same together, at one point on the path to grip fiber therebetween, extending trans verselv of said path.and to hold them so.

togrip fiber therebe; tween extending transversely of said path,

pressed for a distance, means for releasing the pressure at a subsequent point, means adJacent such po nt and means carriedby at least one of said members adapted to coact with said last named meansto shift.

the fiber transversely of said members. i

5. In fiber dressing ap 'iaratus, the (30i'.;- bination of a pair behind the other, means tor progressing the same along a path, means for dressing, atone point. in the path, an exposed portion said path, between of fiber another portion o'f'which extends between said rollers transversely of said path, and means. for causing said rollers of adjacent rollers one i torotate at a subsequent'point toshift the. V

fiber, transversely of said the portion thereof which by said dressing means.

6. In fiber dressing apparatus, the com- .binationof a, continuous track, a train or" more than two gripping members inovable thercabout one after the other, means for path, to expose was not'dressed progressing the same, and means, operable at intervals during the progress of said members, for inserting fiber transversely of the direction of movement of said members between adjacent members with portions of the same exposed. locking said members togcther to grip the fiber, treating the exposed portions of fiber, unlocking said members, shifting the fiber transversely of the move ment of said members between said members to expose the portions previously gripped, again locking said members to gether, and treating the portions of fiber then exposed.

7 In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of gripping means having oppo site surfaces, said means being adapted to grip a bunch of fiber with a portion of the same extending beyond one of said surfaces, means for dressing said portion as it lies against said surface, means for thereafter shifting said bunch of fiber so that the portion thereof previously gripped will extend beyond the opposite surface of said gripping means, and means for dressing said portion as it lies against said last named surface.

'8. In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of a pair of members adapted to grip a bunch of fiber between them with a portion of the same extending above the upper surfaces of said members, means for dressing said ungripped portion, means for thereafter shifting the fiber downwardly so that the portion previously gripped will extend below said members, and means for thereafter dressing said last named portion.

9. In fiber dressing apparatus, a gripping member comprising a block having a chamber therein and a wall having an opening extending into said chamber, a roller in said chamber, and spring means tending to -press said roller outwardly through said opening.

10. In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of a pair of gripping blocks having adjacent vertical surfaces having openings therein, said blocks having chambers therein, rollers in said chambers spring pressed into and partly through said openings, means for clamping said blocks together so that fiber between the same will be clamped between said, vertical surfaces, and means for holding said blocks somewhat apart, when unclamped, so that said rollers will engage the fiber. 4

11. In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of a pair of adjacent rollers, gripping members adjacent the same, means for clamping said members together with fiber extending between the same and between said rollers. and means for resiliently pressing said rollers against opposite sides of the fiber when said members are unclamped.

12. In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of gripping means, means for feeding a supply of fiber thereto, and means for inserting a length of fiber into position to be gripped by said gripping means, cutting the same off, inserting the next length. of fiberinto position to be gripped by said gripping means, ata. spaced interval from said first length, and cutting the same off, automatically.

13. In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of a series of gripping members, means for feeding a continuous supply of fiber adjacent the same, and means for drawing a length of fiber between a pair of said members, cutting the same off from the supply, drawing the next length of fiber between a following pair of said members, cutting the same off, and so continuing until a desired plurality of lengths of fiber have been so positioned.

14. Infiber dressing apparatus, the combination of a series of more than two gripping members, means for automatically positioning bunches of fiber between successive pairs of said members respectively, and means for then automatically clamping all of said members together.

15. In fiber di'essing apparatus, the combination of a series of following gripping members, a track over which they move, pushing means for said members, and means, including said pushing means, for clamping said members together at a point in their travel.

16, In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of a series of following gripping members, a'track over which they move, a traveling front member, spring means tending to separate said gripping members, and means operable at one point to move forwardly, relatively to said gripping members, to press the same against each other and said front member, and at a subsequent point to recede relatively to said gripping members.

17. In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of a series of following gripping members, a'pushing device traveling behind said members, an abutment constantly traveling in front of said members, and means for moving said device forwardly and bac wardly, relatively to said abutment, at points in the travel of said members, to clamp and unclamp the same, and for holding said device in its relatively forward or back position for intervals of travel, to maintain said members in clamped and unclamped position. respectively.

18. In fiber dressing apparatus, the combination of a series of gripping members, means for pushing the rear one of the series along a path. means for feeding fiber between said members at one point, and independent pushing means for pushing each one of said members separately slightly past 

